Our History | Key Events (Our 25 year history) | IDI Chairmen of The Board

Our History

Initially four distributors in Toronto, Stratford, Brantford & Oshawa sold products to each other at special prices - lines they did not have directly.

IDI was founded in 1981 by the same four PT/Bearing Distributors.

The Founding Members Were:

• B & M Bearings & Power Transmission Co. Ltd. (Brantford)
  
• B.G.S. Bearings & Equipment Limited (Toronto)
  
• Marshall Industrial Supply Limited (Stratford)
  
• Oshawa Bearing Service Limited (Oshawa)

Hardin Supply in Barrie, Ontario was invited to participate in 1982 and CBS Equipment in London, Ontario joined in 1983. These 6 members are our Charter Members. It is interesting to note that all 6 of our charter members have since been acquired. Three of them are still members of IDI.

In 1983 the group was formally incorporated and has grown steadily ever since. In 1983 the group hired the consulting services of Donald Knowles to assist in writing our bylaws, incorporating our group and developing our long-range plan.

Over the next few years IDI grew substantially. The major growth began when IDI decided to expand beyond the PT/BEARING product group and added an INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES section in 1985.

Of prime concern in the early 80's and continuing to the present time is that the tightly held, independent distributor has and will continue to have difficulty competing with multi-branch, national, and international competitors unless they are able to operate on the same level playing field as these competitors. This level playing field has to be achieved both with respect to price and product availability.

Members agree to sell products to each other on a cost plus basis and to pay each other by the 10th MF. This allows members to sell their customers products otherwise not available to them, or not available to them at the right price.

IDI is recognized by many suppliers. Where partnership relationships exist competitive pricing, terms and rebates have been negotiated. The present and potential benefit to members in the areas of margins, costs and profits is substantial.

Today IDI is poised to grow substantially and to bring increased benefits to its members. IDI currently consists of 100+ member companies, 2,300+ employees and sales of $1 billion+. Our members are now located from coast-to-coast with a total of 200+ locations. Our growth in membership will continue well into this new century.

IDI meets twice each year. It is at these meetings that the “soft benefits” of IDI are most apparent. Today all major communications are provided in both of Canada's official languages.

With our office and distribution centre in Mississauga, and our capable staff, we are poised and ready to continue to increase the benefits to our member/shareholders.

There are doubtless many issues and challenges ahead of us. As we move forward together our goal is to bring a net ongoing financial benefit to our members of 2% of sales. IDI has and will continue to have major impact on bottom line performance.

In 1997 IDI opened a new distribution centre in Mississauga for the benefit of its member shareholders. This 15,000 square foot facility increased the services offered to IDI members substantially. The members see this facility as a new major area of emphasis for IDI. It was expanded to over 20,000 square feet in early 2003.

Our e-business website was released early in 2000. Our National Accounts Program started in 2000. We obtained our first significant multi-plant contract in 2001 and have obtained several other contracts since then. Our e-commerce solution for our national accounts was introduced in early 2003. We expect this program to grow dramatically throughout the rest of this decade. We added a new fluid power product section in 2001 and a safety supplies product section in 2002. The pace of change is increasing dramatically. IDI is equipped and ready to address future challenges.